Pioneer Elite SC-68 A/V Receiver HT Labs Measures

HT Labs Measures

Two channels driven continuously into 8-ohm loads:
0.1% distortion at 144.5 watts
1% distortion at 191.6 watts

Five channels driven continuously into 8-ohm loads:
0.1% distortion at 92.3 watts
1% distortion at 138.8 watts

Seven channels driven continuously into 8-ohm loads:
0.1% distortion at 90.0 watts
1% distortion at 113.8 watts

Analog frequency response in Pure Direct mode:
–0.24 dB at 10 Hz
–0.07 dB at 20 Hz
+0.93 dB at 20 kHz
–1.87 dB at 50 kHz

Analog frequency response with signal processing:
–0.94 dB at 10 Hz
–0.28 dB at 20 Hz
–1.44 dB at 20 kHz
–68.68 dB at 50 kHz

This graph shows that the SC-68’s left channel, from CD input to speaker output with two channels driving 8-ohm loads, reaches 0.1 percent distor- tion at 144.5 watts and 1 percent distortion at 191.6 watts. Into 4 ohms, the amplifier reaches 0.1 percent distortion at 191.1 watts and 1 percent distortion at 272.0 watts.

Response from the multichannel input to the speaker output measures –0.24 decibels at 10 hertz, –0.07 dB at 20 Hz, +0.89 dB at 20 kilohertz, and –1.87 dB at 50 kHz. THD+N from the CD input to the speaker output was less than 0.063 percent at 1 kHz when driving 2.83 volts into an 8-ohm load. Crosstalk at 1 kHz driving 2.83 volts into an 8-ohm load was –80.58 dB left to right and –80.87 dB right to left. The signal-to-noise ratio with an 8-ohm load from 10 Hz to 24 kHz with “A” weighting was –103.65 dBrA.

From the Dolby Digital input to the loudspeaker output, the left channel measures –0.06 dB at 20 Hz and –1.44 dB at 20 kHz. The center channel measures –0.06 dB at 20 Hz and –1.41 dB at 20 kHz, and the left surround channel measures –0.02 dB at 20 Hz and –1.40 dB at 20 kHz. From the Dolby Digital input to the line-level output, the LFE channel is –0.02 dB at 20 Hz when referenced to the level at 40 Hz and reaches the upper 3-dB down point at 110 Hz and the upper 6-dB down point at 117 Hz.—MJP

Video Test Bench
The Pioneer SC-68 passed all of our standard video tests (3:2 HD, 2:2 HD, MA HD—1080i in to 1080p out; 3:2 SD, 2:23 SD, MA SD—480i in to 1080p out; and Video Clipping, Luma Resolution, Chroma Resolution, and 3D passthrough—1080p in to 1080p out).—TJN

Comments

Need help

Submitted by kent harrison on December 9, 2012 - 12:32pm.

For you sir,i would go with monitor Audio gx-300 based system with sc-68,that receiver has everything you need.

A Simple Man

Submitted by Ndaggett on December 10, 2012 - 11:16am.

I presently have an Anthem MRX-300 with an Epson 8500UB projector.

I dont believe Anthem is strong in the video processing area.. which has notable effects in my display..

Is the Pioneer better .. honestly.. I want an upgrade in video AND audio quality .. i dont want to sacrifice one for the other..

PLease advise,

Nathan

Preamp/Processor capability

Submitted by bellerbu on December 12, 2012 - 8:04am.

Nice review, thanks. I'm wondering how the SC-68 might perform as a preamp? Would the top end likely improve since you're bypassing the D power amps?? I'm trying to decide on a preamp for my HT and am currently back and forth between the SC-68 and the Marantz av7701. I need the dual HDMI outs and like the other networking abilities of both. Any other recos are welcome, of course. Thanks again.

Three questions

Submitted by Evans on December 17, 2012 - 5:50am.

Dear Mark many thanks for this excellent and helpful review. I have three questions:

1. I have three speakers (one center and two rear) from an Samsung all inclusive system (receiver plus dvd). I have kept the speakers because they are quite stylish and have not found "proper" replacements. The Samsung receiver was mentioning in it back something about having an output of 3 ohms. I assume thus that the Samsung speakers are 3 ohms each. I am using them with a Sony STR-DB-920 (which has a minimum setting of 4 ohms) and they play just fine (no smoke anywhere at the audio chain!). Do you think (no liability - my own risk etc) that I would have a problem attaching those speakers to the SC-68 (only one zone at the time, 5 speakers max)? Can I do something in order to further protect the system? (e.g. attach additional impedance on the cable?).

2. I have currently connected my pc to the DB-920 through the optical out of my soundblaster. Everything is rooted through this output, including multichannel sound which is recoded as Dolby Digital. If I attach the SC-68 as a usb sound card, will I be able to play directly multichannel sound? I cannot understand the mentioned restriction to flac / mp3 / wav etc. A normal soundcard would play everything as long as you have the proper codecs at a player level. Isn't this teh case with SC-68? What would happen if I open xbmc an play a dts file? Will I have to change the input to optical in? What about multichannel dff files? Can I play them the same way that I play other music on my pc?

3. Can I control the SC-68 with Android? I understand that there is an app for that.

Many thanks,

Evans

SC-61, sc-63 or Marantz 6007

Submitted by venkyla on January 7, 2013 - 1:46am.

All,

We are trying to finalize between Elite SC-61, SC-63 or a Marantz 6007. We listen to stereo music as well as watch movies a lot.

What do you recommend? Please Advise.

Thanks,
Venky

SC-61, sc-63 or Marantz 6007

Submitted by venkyla on January 8, 2013 - 1:45am.

Hi Friends,

Any update? Please let us know.

Thank,
Venky

I enjoyed reading your post

Submitted by gunbadlsi on January 15, 2013 - 11:34pm.

I enjoyed reading your post and found it to be useful and to the point. Thank you for not rambling on and on just to fill the page.
austin roofing

This conent is simply

Submitted by vilgoolnes on January 16, 2013 - 9:35pm.

This conent is simply exciting and creative. I have been deciding on a institutional move and this has helped me with one aspect. Cheers!
1stopprojectmanagement.com

Is there something wrong with

Submitted by Diagrafeas on February 2, 2013 - 8:01pm.

Is there something wrong with the graph?
Even the SC-61 one looks better.

What's the best way to hook up this Av

Submitted by Eladio on May 14, 2013 - 8:46pm.

I bought this Pioneer Elite SC-68 A/V Receiver
A few moths back how should I use it with or with out my power amp??
The amp is this The Signature MPA 5150 five-channel reference power amplifier. Any help would be greatly Appreciated.